Autumn Leaves

The singer in the video, Eva Cassidy, had a wonderful voice and talent that was cut short when she died of melanoma in 1996. In 1993, Cassidy had a malignant mole removed from her back. Three years later, during a promotional event for the 'Live at Blues Alley' album in July 1996, Cassidy noticed an ache in her hips, which she attributed to stiffness from painting murals while perched atop a stepladder. The pain persisted and a few weeks later, X-rays revealed that the melanoma had spread to her lungs and bones. Her doctors estimated she had three to five months to live. Cassidy opted for aggressive treatment, but her health deteriorated rapidly. In her final public performance in September 1996, at the Bayou, she closed the set with "What a Wonderful World" in front of an audience of friends, fans and family. She was subsequently admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Cassidy died at her family home in Bowie, November 2, 1996, at the age of 33. She was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Washington Area Music Association. In accordance with her wishes, Cassidy’s body was cremated. Her ashes were scattered on the lake shores of St. Mary's River Watershed Park, a nature reserve near California, Maryland.

That said, cancer is a horrible disease and knows no age or limits and
this being Breast Cancer Awareness month, I'm saying some special prayers for those fighting it.

I recently had my cancer screenings and CEA blood test and so far
everything looks good. My oncologist wants me to have my next CT scan and CEA blood test in April of next year. I told him that our insurance provider will be changing and will have to notify them with contact info soon, so they can coordinate these expensive tests through the new healthcare provider which will be some kind of United Healthcare program.

We're still waiting on the information package which should be coming soon as enrollment is due by November 15th. I've always had some form of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, so I'm a little sad to be losing that as they seemed like a great provider and very helpful while going through my cancer tratments.

New Blood Test for Colon Cancer Developed

Saturday, October 9, 2010

New Blood Test for Colon Cancer Developed

(HealthDay News) -- Seeking to increase screenings for colorectal cancer, scientists say they have developed an inexpensive and effective method that uses less than one milliliter (mL) of a patient's blood.

In trials, the new approach -- referred to as a microRNA -- has successfully detected disease in patients already diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Next, the research team will launch screening tests among a larger group of patients who show symptoms of the disease. These patients will also undergo colonoscopies, which will be used to confirm the new diagnostic tool's effectiveness.

"Our test has the potential to be safe, cheap, robust, accurate and of little or no inconvenience to the individual, and could, therefore, easily be integrated into national screening programs as part of an annual checkup," study author Dr. Soren Jensby Nielsen, a scientific manager with Denmark-based Exiqon A/S, said in a news release from the American Association for Cancer Research.

October and Fall Foliage Begins

The autumn leaves have begun to change and with it comes many other
changes that will start. I've started with the extra vitamin D3 and
along with diet changes and excercise from mostly walking have lost 12 pounds so far which I'm kind of proud about. A good start I think!

Our new healthcare provider is going to be United Healthcare, but we
don't know much about them or the plans yet. Stay tuned for more on
that later after we find out more information and get to review the
options before it kicks in on January 1st, 2011.

I'll be seeing my oncologist in a couple of weeks and having my
next series of tests to find out if I'm still cancer free. It's
always a bit scary after intially hearing those three words, "you've
got cancer" after my diagnosis. At any rate, I continue to have
faith and think positive about it and try not to dwell too much
on the past. I'll also get a flu shot, which has prevented me from
getting the flu for the past several years now.

I will be updating after my oncology visit(s) so stay tuned
for more along with my new change of lifestyle and healthy living!

The Glycemic Index

Today I had my follow-up with primary care doctor and we reviewed
my lab reports. (see last post).

I was told about the Glycemic Index and how I would have to
learn to use it and start walking/exercising on a regular basis.

He showed me my chart and how I was able to get the numbers
down a few years ago through diet and excercise and we agreed
that I should be able to do it again.

Regarding the vitamin D deficiency, I'll be starting on 1,000 i.u.
of vitamin D on a daily basis for three months or whenever I'm
tested next (he suggested late January or early February).

So, he's diagnosed me as 'Glucose Intolerant' which is very
similiar, if not the same thing, as pre-diabetes.

I've got to work on cutting out sugars, carbs and all the good
stuff that I've been eating since my chemo treatments ended.

Next month is more testing/screening with my oncologist and
we're still not sure what we'll have for healthcare come the
first of the year.

Annual Checkup - Physical

I got my lab reports back from the hospital and my blood cell counts are good, along with a few other things (good blood pressure, cholesterols, etc) but it shows some vitamin D deficency (chemo might have been a cause?) and an A1C Blood Sugar level that was off the charts. I got a 7.0 and the normal range is 4.7 to 6.1. So I've got to eleminate sugars and some of the things that I've been eating along with getting a little more excercise.

Hemoglobin indicates high risk for cardiac problems and they also reported a *trace* of protein in urinalysis which was circled as abnormal. I've already started on my new lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) and I have a follow up appt next week to review with my primary care doctor.

Next month starts the series of cancer screening again and I suppose I'll get a flu shot while I'm there. Stay tuned!